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Secondary progressive form of multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is characterized by a steady progression of clinical neurological damage with or without superimposed relapses and minor remissions and plateaus. Patients who develop SPMS will have previously experienced a period of RRMS, most of the untreated patients with RRMS will go on to develop SPMS in 10-20 years, time to transition is prolonged with a proper therapy. Based on clinical status alone, it is difficult to precisely establish when RRMS converts to SPMS although it is clearly important for appropriate treatment. The aim of the study was to monitor the interaction between the clinical manifestation of the SPMS expressed in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and abnormal findings in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Twelve patients diagnosed with SPMS were included in this study, once a year the evaluation of the clinical status of the patient expressed in EDSS was performed, usually at the time of MRI examination. All patients underwent a MRI examination every 12 months for 3 years. Utilizing a special program developed in our Institution , the following parameters were evaluated during each MRI examination: brain tissue volume (brain atrophy status), lesion load in FLAIR sequence, volume of ""black holes"" (volume of... |
